Women's Basketball v. UCLA

Fifi Baiden: A Great Example

Oct 16, 2012

Many Division-I athletes have similar stories and have embarked
on similar journeys to get to the school of their dreams.

UC Santa Barbara’s student athletes have logged many hours
in the classroom as well as the gym. But not many
student-athletes can say that they traveled across the world to a
foreign place to follow their dream. Fifi Baiden did just that.

Originally from Ghana, Fifi grew up playing soccer. With the
encouragement of his parents, Fifi played soccer daily and fell in
love with the sport. Not having soccer fields or club teams
available, Fifi would play in backyards with his friends. He
knew he had a great talent and decided to pursue his soccer dream
by joining a soccer academy in Ghana called “A Right to Dream
Academy.”

“A friend from school told me about a soccer academy that
recruits talented soccer players,” said Fifi. “Hearing
this convinced me into joining the academy. I was ten when I
tried out and joined the academy shortly after.”

With the motivation from his family and friends in Ghana, Fifi
defined his life goal by achieving an excellent education and
striving to become a better soccer player. At the “A
Right to Dream Academy,” he developed a desire to come to
America and play soccer.

“I heard about the Dunn School in California that brings
in people from the academy in Ghana to attend school there,”
said Fifi.

The Dunn School, in Los Olivos California is a private, college
preparatory, a sixth- twelfth grade boarding school. Former Gaucho
Waid Ibrahim also attended the Dunn School.

“My Dunn School experience was the richest experience of
my life,” said a reflective Fifi. “They provided me
with a diverse environment, different people, and made me feel
comfortable.”

Not knowing anyone, the Dunn School environment helped Fifi
gain confidence and brought awareness to the importance of
education.

Most would look at Fifi’s life as a challenge, but Fifi
took his life-changing experience as an opportunity to pursue his
dreams. Machael David and Waid Ibraihm embarked on similar
journeys and helped make Fifi’s journey more comfortable.

“Having fellow Ghanaians already here on the UCSB soccer
team definitely helped my transition,” said
Fifi. “It was an instant support system, and helped me
gain confidence in my new environment.”

As a leader on the UCSB Men’s soccer team, Fifi demands hard
work every day from himself as well as his teammates.

“Thinking back to Ghana, I grew up with the mentality that
you always have to work hard and do the right thing to
succeed.”

“I use this mentality towards my schoolwork and soccer,
which motivates me every day,” said Fifi, before turning his
attention to his teammates. “I use this mentality for other
players on the team who know I have a different personality, but
through my hard work, dedication, and honesty, they can possibly
learn something from what I’m doing.”

Fifi is on his way to accomplishing his dream of becoming a
professional soccer player. As a starter for the Gauchos,
Fifi was one of just six players to appear in all 23 games last
year.

While an outstanding soccer player, Fifi still has a goal to
obtain a degree in either Economics or Sociology. He remains
passionate about his home country, yearning to share the
opportunity he has received at UCSB with those back home.

“I want to pursue my dream of acquiring a good education
and a degree in social sciences so I can return home and give back
some knowledge to my country.”